Video Poker by Evoplay
Provider: Evoplay | Type: Jacks or Better Video Poker | RTP: 99.50%+ (optimal strategy) | Decks: 1 | Volatility: Low–Medium
Video Poker by Evoplay is the classic Jacks or Better format — the foundational video poker game on which most variants are based. You are dealt 5 cards, choose which to hold and which to discard, and receive replacement cards. If your final hand contains a pair of Jacks or better, you win according to the paytable. Unlike slots, video poker is a skill game — the decisions you make on every hand directly affect your return. With optimal strategy, Jacks or Better can return 99.50% or higher, making it one of the best-value games at FatBet.
Game Overview
Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Provider | Evoplay |
Game Type | Jacks or Better Video Poker |
Decks | 1 (52 cards) |
RTP | 99.50%+ (optimal strategy) |
House Edge | ~0.46% (optimal play) |
Volatility | Low–Medium |
Min Bet | R1.00 per hand |
Max Bet | R500 per hand |
Minimum Paying Hand | Pair of Jacks (Jacks or Better) |
Gamble Feature | Optional (double or nothing) |
Wild Cards | None (standard Jacks or Better) |
How to Play
Set your coin value and number of coins (1–5; always play max coins for Royal Flush bonus)
Press Deal — receive 5 cards face up
Click/tap cards you want to Hold; unselected cards will be discarded
Press Draw — discarded cards are replaced from the same shuffled deck
Final 5-card hand is evaluated; winning hands pay per the paytable
Optionally press Gamble to risk your win for a chance to double it
Max coins rule: the Royal Flush pays a bonus multiplier only when you play maximum coins (5). Playing fewer coins reduces Royal Flush payout from 800:1 to 250:1 per coin — always play max coins unless your budget cannot support it.
Payout Table (per coin, max 5 coins)
Hand | 1 Coin | 2 Coins | 3 Coins | 4 Coins | 5 Coins (Max) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1,000 | 4,000 |
Straight Flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
Four of a Kind | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
Full House | 9 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 45 |
Flush | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
Three of a Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
Two Pair | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
Jacks or Better (pair) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Anything lower | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
This is a 9/6 Jacks or Better paytable (Full House pays 9, Flush pays 6) — the full-pay version with the highest possible RTP.
Optimal Hold Strategy
The correct hold decision for every possible 5-card combination is determined by expected value calculation. The following hierarchy covers the most common situations — always hold the highest-ranked item on this list when applicable:
Priority | Hold | Discard |
|---|---|---|
1 | Royal Flush | Nothing |
2 | Straight Flush | Nothing |
3 | Four of a Kind | The 5th card |
4 | Full House | Nothing |
5 | Flush | Nothing |
6 | Straight | Nothing |
7 | Three of a Kind | Both non-matching cards |
8 | 4 cards to Royal Flush | 1 card |
9 | Two Pair | The 5th card |
10 | High Pair (Jacks or Better) | 3 non-matching cards |
11 | 4 cards to Straight Flush | 1 card |
12 | Low Pair (2s–10s) | 3 non-matching cards |
13 | 4 cards to Flush | 1 card |
14 | 4 cards to outside Straight | 1 card |
15 | 3 cards to Royal Flush | 2 cards |
16 | High cards (J, Q, K, A) — up to 3 | Remaining low cards |
17 | Nothing above applies | Draw all 5 new cards |
Common Strategy Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake | Correct Play |
|---|---|
Holding a low pair over 4-to-Royal Flush | Break the pair — hold 4 to Royal |
Holding a kicker with a pair | Hold pair only — discard the 5th card |
Breaking a flush to chase Royal Flush with 3 cards | Hold the flush |
Holding all 5 cards on a Straight with Royal draw inside | Hold the Straight |
Gamble Feature
After any winning hand, the optional Gamble feature allows you to risk your win:
Gamble Option | Correct Answer | Result if Correct | Result if Wrong |
|---|---|---|---|
Colour | Red or Black | Win × 2 | Lose win |
Suit | Hearts / Diamonds / Clubs / Spades | Win × 4 | Lose win |
The Gamble feature has approximately neutral expected value and does not affect the base game RTP.
Why Video Poker Is Different from Slots
Feature | Video Poker | Slots |
|---|---|---|
Player decisions | Yes — hold/discard | None |
Skill impact on RTP | Significant (~5% range) | None |
Maximum RTP | 99.50%+ (optimal) | Fixed (96% typical) |
Strategy required | Yes | No |
Variance | Lower than high-vol slots | Variable |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does "Jacks or Better" mean? A: The minimum qualifying hand for a payout is a pair of Jacks, Queens, Kings, or Aces. Lower pairs (2s through 10s) do not pay. You need at least two Jacks to win.
Q: What is a 9/6 paytable? A: The paytable shorthand — Full House pays 9× and Flush pays 6× per coin. This is the full-pay version with the highest RTP. Lower-paying variants (8/6, 8/5, 7/5) have higher house edges.
Q: How much does strategy affect returns? A: Significantly. Optimal strategy produces ~99.50% RTP. Poor strategy (random holds) can reduce returns to 95% or lower. The difference is entirely in your decisions.
Q: Should I always play 5 coins? A: Yes, when your budget supports it. The Royal Flush pays 800:1 per coin at max coins versus 250:1 at fewer coins. This bonus is where the difference between 98% and 99.50% RTP comes from.
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